About

While the pilot is a one-hour special, we've broken down our goals into more digestible pieces. We'll start with 10-12 minutes of the episode, and set stretch goals to reach the full 45 minutes. We're so excited about the project, that we want to get started as soon as possible!

Shadow Magic features characters that grow through their struggles and are rich in diversity. With epic battles, complex relationships, dragons and space ships... what more can you ask for? =D

The pilot episode is the first step to producing a full series of animation. With your help, we can show the big guns this is something worth making and we can proceed in acquiring what we need to make that happen *cough full series funding cough*. Let's face it, this type of animation is expensive!

Is it Anime? What gives? We just happen to love it! However, it's also our goal to infuse our western animation techniques and give it a feature film fluidity.

We're a team of animators that have been working in the animation, games and comics industries for more than 10 years. Some of our credits include Bardel Entertainment, Big Bad Boo, DHX Media, United Front Games, DeNA Games and many others. We've worked on television series, AAA console games, and mobile games. We miss bringing life to our 2D drawings and want to spread the love and create opportunities for fellow artists and fans who feel the same way.

The Shadow Magic pilot episode features the voices of Yuri Lowenthal as Ben Whittaker and Vic Mignogna as Kaizei.

Imagine the epic fantasy of Lord of the Rings, with the sci-fi action of Star Wars with the dynamic and relatable characters in Harry Potter. Add interdimensional warfare and you have Shadow Magic.

Target Audience: Ages 12+

The world: Shadow Magic takes place in a near-future Earth where technology is king. Much of it is thanks to one corporation, Makino Industries, headquartered in the un-named city which is a blend of Hong Kong, Tokyo and Vancouver.

Shadow Magic pilot episode summary:

While playing an online game, Avery is interrupted by a knock at her door. She finds a strange object at her feet and suddenly learns that she is part of an ancient contract. Avery is ordered to accomplish an impossible task. Should she fail to fulfill the contract with Atlantis, she will not only lose her life, but also her soul.
Avery attempts to become her fantasy game character in real life. However, she realizes all too soon, it's easier said than done. With her friends' lives in jeopardy, Avery has no choice but to risk her own and learn how to use her new body in trial by fire. She receives unexpected help from her school's resident playboy, but she doesn't trust him to keep her new abilities or dragon partner a secret.

Little does Avery know, the scope of cause and effect lies far beyond only her own planet. Creatures from other worlds are hungry for what Earth has to offer. The most powerful being of all, the Emperor of Soria, is no exception.

See more about the characters at the bottom of the page =).

Why so much money??

To put things in perspective, a typical 2D Flash animated show is made for about $200k per half-hour (22 minute) episode. Avatar the Last Airbender, for example, had an incredible $450k budget per 22-minute episode. Still think we're asking too much? =)

Seriously, we are seeking the bare minimum to prove to you, the supporters, and to the broadcasters: we can do this!

The funds strictly go directly to the people doing the dirty work: The animators, the background painters, the composer, the voice actors, the special FX dude, food for the studio dog (owut! J/k!).

70%- Animation: This includes script, storyboarding, animatics, rough animation, clean animation, layouts, backgrounds, and colors. 3D assets are also a part of the animation process.

6%-Music: Music can make or break a show, and it's one of our top priorities.

4%-Voice Acting: Just like the music, the character voices are another top priority.

4%- Post-Production: This includes audio, video mixing and editing. Some additional special effects are also added at this stage.

6%- Rewards: We wanted to provide you with great perks, yet still be able to direct most of your pledge directly to the project. Therefore, we're still including some exclusive physical rewards to thank you.

10%- Fees: Kickstarter and Amazon take their cut, too! After all, they're helping provide us with an amazing service.

The above production timeline is based on a 45-minute episode. Taking into consideration that we're a small studio without the 100+ animators of a large company, we're including some extra time.

It's estimated to take a little over a year to complete the 45-minute pilot episode, however, if we meet a lower tier goal, we're likely to wrap up the shorter chunks sooner =).

So, what do you get? =D

Okay, then who are you people??

We're a small team of professionals who want to bring back hand-drawn 2D animation production to Vancouver, BC, Canada. We've been around since cels were still painted by hand and seen the transition to Flash and 3D first-hand.

From all of us on the KAGE Productions team and our amazing cast, THANK YOU for checking out our project, and I hope you will consider giving us a hand, or simply share our page with others who you might think would like to see it =).

Avery, an introverted girl, finds her confidence by being a guild leader in an MMORPG. As the real world holds little interest to her, she spends most of her life in-game, however, when she is suddenly given the opportunity to live out her fantasy in reality, Avery takes it on with enthusiasm.

When her closest friends are about to die, she realizes the game and real life are very different. Can she learn to become strong enough to overcome the horrors that will soon involve not only herself, but her entire world?

Ben's wealthy family has spoiled him, leaving him with little ambition or motivation in life. While outwardly he is a showoff, a flirt, and arrogant, he has a strong sense of justice and is protective of those he cares about.

Everything changes when he decides to step in to help his classmate, Avery, when he sees her in danger. There, his journey to discovering his potential begins.

Zeek

Zeek is a small, mysterious dragon from another world that takes his orders from someone named "Dragon." Zeek can temporarily create a limited field of etheral energy from which both Avery and Ben can draw power to channel their new skills.

Kana Makino and Makino Industries

Kana, the CEO of Makino Industries, is responsible for the development of futuristic technology. Makino Industries is so influential that they essentially run the city. However, there's more going on behind closed doors that the public knows nothing about.

Could Makino Inudstries be somehow responsible for the rash of alien creatures appearing and causing destruction to the city?

Alpha Team

The Alpha Team are Avery's guild mates from the MMORPG that she plays. Avery meets with them in real life and considers them to be close friends.

PS- The members of Alpha Team are open for voice auditions!! All the details can be found here if you'd like to try out!

Jem

Who is this mysterious kitten that seems to be pulling everyone's strings? She definitely knows more than she lets on, but is she friend or foe?

Some more Art <3!

Pages from the Shadow Magic graphic novel.

Thanks again for looking, and please don't forget to share this page ^_^. Have an awesome day!

Risks and challenges

Nothing comes without some risks and challenges. Staff falling ill, computers dying, and other unfortunate things may delay production. However, we've included a buffer time in our completion date to compensate for such unforeseen circumstances. There's a chance it won't be enough, but we'll keep everyone up to date on progress and of course, completion =).

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge CA$ 75 or more
About $56

All of the above plus digital download of the 45-minute Shadow Magic audio drama and PDF version of the Shadow Magic production art book. The art book will be available toward the end of the pilot production.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge CA$ 300 or more
About $223

All of the above (excluding limited items) plus access to our Live Stream and Twitch channels. We'll hold monthly 1 to 2-hour sessions where you can watch us work on the animation and ask us questions.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge CA$ 500 or more
About $372

All of the above (excluding limited items) plus a live chat session with our cast and crew via Google hangouts or Skype. We will schedule several time slots for those of you in different time zones. You will also receive an autographed poster.

Note: We can't guarantee every key member of our team will be available, but we'll certainly do our best!